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In telecommunication, a band - sometimes called a frequency band - is a specific range of frequencies in the radio frequency (RF) spectrum, which is divided among ranges from very low frequencies (VLF) to extremely high frequencies (EHF). Each band has a defined by upper and lower frequency limit. Network bands are a specific range of frequencies in a spectrum. Spectrum is Government's property and it is leased by carriers for fixed amount of time. Government agencies allocate spectrum in auctions to various network carriers.

In India, Telecom Regularity Authority of India is responsible for spectrum allocations. They allocate spectrum to the various network operators in India who participated in the auction

So before discussing various bands let us know about some technical terms

What is Spectrum?

Spectrum is a collection of various types of electromagnetic radiations of different wavelengths. In simplified words, Spectrum is airwaves on which signals of network carrier travels.

Very Low Frequencies (VLF): It ranges from 3 to 30 kHz.Time signals and standard frequencies are among the users of this band.

Low Frequencies (LF): It ranges from 30 to 300 kHz. Fixed, maritime mobile and navigational systems and radio broadcasting are among the users of this band.

Medium Frequencies (MF): It ranges from 300 to 3000 kHz. Land, maritime mobile and radio broadcasting are among the users of this band.

High Frequencies (HF): It ranges from 3 to 30 megahertz (MHz). Fixed, mobile, aeronautical and marine mobile, amateur radio, and radio broadcasting are among the users of this band.

Very High Frequencies (VHF): It ranges from 30 to 300 MHz. It also consists of Fixed, mobile, aeronautical and marine mobile, amateur radio, television, and radio broadcasting, and radio navigation users.

Ultra High Frequencies (UHF): It ranges from 300 to 3000 MHz. Fixed, mobile, aeronautical and marine mobile, amateur radio, television, radio navigation and location, meteorological, and space communication are among the users of this band.

Super High Frequencies (SHF): It ranges from 3 to 30 gigahertz (GHz). Fixed, mobile, radio navigation and location, and space and satellite communication are among the users of this band.

ExtremelyHigh Frequencies(EHF): It ranges from 30 to 300 GHz. Amateur radio, satellite, and earth and space exploration are among the users of this band.

LTE: LTE is Long term evolution and often referred as 4G. LTE is a standard for high-speed wireless communication for mobile phones and data terminals. In India in India make use of 3 network bands namely LTE850 (Band 5), LTE1800(Band 3), LTE2300 (Band 40). In which, Band 3 provided great network coverage while Band 40 0ffers greater data speeds.

GSM: GSM is Global System for Mobile communications. GSM is a standard for defining 2nd Generation of digital communication over the telephone which offers internet services on mobiles but relatively very low speeds. In India, GSM works in two different frequency band: GSM900 and GSM1800. Lower frequency network bands offer higher coverage while higher frequency network bands offer higher data speeds.

HSPA: HSPA is High-Speed Packet Access. HSPA is the combination of HSDPA (High-speed downlink Packet Access) and HSUPA (High-Speed Uplink Packet Access). It is a standard defined to improve the performance of 3rd generation (3G) digital telephony with relatively much higher speeds than its predecessor 2G.In India, HSPA works on two different network bands UMTS900 and UMTS 2100.UMTS network bands in India are commonly deployed at 2100 MHz for better speeds.

CDMA: CDMA is Code Division Multiple Access.It is a channel access method used by various radio communication technologies.CDMA is compatible with other cellular technologies which allow for nationwide roaming. It offers a transmission speed of only up to 14.4 kbps in its single channel form and up to 115 Kbps in an eight-channel form.

Network Bands Used in India

Band 3: Among different network bands, Band 3 is already used by various network companies in India to provide 2G services. Band 3 runs on 1800 MHz spectrum and provides a superb ecosystem in the world to deploy LTE services to users. In the auction of 2015, almost every cellular company leased out Band 3 spectrum to provide their services. In India, Jio, Airtel, Vodafone, Idea, Reliance, Telenor, Videocon bags out 1800 MHz band to provide their 4G services. Only BSNL and Tata Docomo were not able to lease out this frequency band.

Band 5: Band 5 is another out of another network bands that your smartphone should support. Band 5 runs on 850MHz which results into best network coverage. Reliance Jio has already launched its LTE services on Band 5 and network is available in almost every part of the country. Apart from Jio, BSNL, MTS and Docomo also hold this spectrum in their polythenes. Earlier smartphones do not include support for this band because it provides poor 4G speeds but best network reception on 4G network. But after Jio and their VoLTE now smartphones includes support for Band 5 as well.

Band 40: Another Popular Network Bands used includes Band 40 which run on a radio frequency of 2300 MHz. It is specially used by 4G networks to provide their services with great data speeds. Currently, Airtel, Jio, Aircel and Tikona uses this spectrum for its service deployments. Band 40 is also supported on almost every 4G smartphones in India. Reliance Jio holds PAN India license for 2300 MHz spectrum and already launched it throughout the country.

Conclusion

In the various network bands the latest technology in 4G with LTE which is only in service by Reliance JIO. CDMA can be used for calling purpose in low-frequency spectrum while 3G can be used for data as well as voice purpose.